Greek Temple Architecture Quiz

Greek Architecture Pt. 2

• Key topics include influences, Greek periods, ornaments, Acropolis, temples, orders, and structures.

The Acropolis

• Many Greek cities were built on or near a hill called an acropolis.
• An acropolis formed a citadel.
• "City on the height" - in classical Greek architecture, a city stronghold was built higher than the surrounding urban fabric.
• The Acropolis of Athens is a temenos for the Greek goddess Athena.
• A temenos is a holy sanctuary or a piece of land marked off from common uses and dedicated to a god.

Propylaea

• Monumental gates or entranceways to a space, typically a temple or religious complex.
• Part of Pericles' great rebuilding program for Athens.
• Designed by architect Mnesicles.
• Constructed of Pentelic marble.
• Situated on an east-west axis to mirror the Parthenon.
• The northern wing functions as a pinacotheca (a picture gallery).

Parthenon

• Built from 447-438 B.C. in honor of Athena, the city's patron goddess.
• Designed by Iktinos and Kallikrates.
• Pheidias was the sculptor responsible for the sculptural decoration and the ivory statue of Athena.
• Underwent multiple restorations, including programs in 1896-1900 and 1922-1933.

Erechtheion

• Also called Erechtheum.
• Constructed during the Golden Age of Athens.
• Intended to house the ancient wooden cult statue of Athena.
• Designed to glorify Athens at its peak.
• Architect: Mnesicles.
• The caryatids are the temple's signature feature.

Caryatids

• Carved female figures which function as columns in the Erechtheion.

Temple of Athena Nike

• A smaller temple, considerably smaller than other temples on the Acropolis.
• The first building that visitors see approaching the Propylaea.

Statue of Athena

• A gigantic statue, approximately 11.5 meters tall.
• Made of carved ivory for the flesh parts and gold for other parts, wrapped around a wooden core.
• A marble copy is housed in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens.

Temples - Planning

• Temple entrances are typically located on the east side.
• Altars were placed opposite the east front of the temple.
• Key temple sections include:
  • Opisthodomos (a small treasury room within the cella)
  • Cella or Naos (primary chamber housing the cult image)
  • Pronaos or Anticum (an open vestibule in front of the cella)
• Temples are described by:
  • The number of columns on the entrance frontage (e.g., hexastyle, octastyle).
  • The arrangement of exterior columns (e.g., prostyle, amphiprostyle, peripteral, pseudo-peripteral, dipteral, pseudo-dipteral).
• Intercolumniation refers to the systematic spacing of columns, measured in multiples of column diameters (e.g., pycnostyle, systyle, eustyle, diastyle, araeostyle).

Parts of the Greek Temple

• Acroterion: A sculpture or ornament atop the pediment corner.
• Pediment: The triangular upper part of the temple's front.
• Tympanum: The triangular space enclosed by the pediment's horizontal and sloping sides.
• Entablature: The horizontal part of the temple, resting on columns.
  • Cornice: The decorated projection at the top of the entablature.
  • Frieze: The horizontal panel with relief sculptures.
  • Architrave: The lowest part of the entablature, directly above the columns.
• Column: A cylindrical support in classical architecture.
  • Capital: The decorated top of the column.
  • Shaft: The central part of the column.
  • Base: The lower part of the column, often distinctively treated.
• Stereobate (or Crepidoma): The solid masonry platform serving as the foundation and visible above ground.
  • Stylobate: The stepped platform supporting the columns.
  • Pedestal: a construction on which a column or statue is elevated.
  • Dado and Plinth: Parts of the column's base.